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allingoodtime's review
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I’m sad to be leaving these characters behind. I loved getting to know them all. Mineral Lake is such a fun small town. The banter between the meddling older generation, as well as the bickering among the Lodge/Freeze family, gave light and humor so these stories never got too bogged down with the more serious aspects of the tales.
This story can be read as a standalone, but those that have been reading this series I’m sure have been looking forward to Dawn and Hawk finally giving into their feelings. They have a great connection because of how close they were growing up, and that just feeds the flames between them. Hawk is a natural protector, especially of those he loves. Dawn is very stubborn and does not like to be told what to do or, worse yet, that she can’t do something. There are explosions!
While Hawk is extremely bossy and has a hard time asking instead of telling, he has good reason. He knows his friends, who are essentially his family, could be in danger because of him. The chances were slim, but he’s not one to take chances. I really liked that, at one point when things were really getting dangerous, Hawk tried to rationally explain things to Dawn. She did not like the fact that he wanted to sequester her away to keep her safe and Dawn tried to justify keeping to her regular routine by expounding her ability to defend herself. The way Hawk broke things down for her helped her to see where he was coming from, even if she didn’t like being taken out of the action. I find it rare that a MMC in a romantic suspense situation actually gives the FMC a common-sense reason she’s being left behind.
Of course, this story is about the HEA Hawk and Dawn both deserve and have been seeking. It’s also about family, found family. Since Hawk grew up without much family and his mom died before he was quite an adult, he doesn’t understand the full extent of what family can mean. As much as the Lodge/Freeze family has taken him in as one of their own even before his mother passed, he never realized the full extent of their acceptance. It was really a beautiful thing to see him with Dawn’s brothers when their relationship was exposed.
Another wonderful story from Rebecca Zanetti.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
PTSD